League Secretary's Notes 218 THE YPRES TIMES We welcome very heartily all who have en rolled as members during the past quarter, and we desire to convey to them our grateful thanks for their valued support. Thanks are also due to our Branches, Corresponding Mem bers and individual help that we have received in the recruitments. Members are working hard in response to the message of our dis tinguished Patron, H.R.H. Princess Eeatrice, which appeared in the last April edition of the Ypres Times, expressing the hope that all members will endeavour to swell our member ship by enlisting at the very least one from among their- comrades of the Salient. As a result we expect to have the honour to record a goodly influx of new members before the end of the present year. Welcome tidings have been received from a faithful supporter in Mr. Edward Thomas, of Auckland, New Zealand, signifying his good intention to form a Branch of the Ypres League in Auckland. We wish Mr. Thomas every success in his staunch endeavours, and look forward to report favourably in a future issue of the journal. It is also possible that we may be able to inaugurate a new Branch in Co. Tipperary, where ex-service men are showing their interest in the League through the kindness of Mr. J. Kennedy, ex-Sergeant, R.A.S.C. The Ypres League travel bureau is happily out to break all previous records in this Jubilee Year, and since March 1st, parties have been conducted to the battlefields of France and Belgium as follows 168th Infantry Brigade, 167th Infantry Brigade, 4th Guards' Brigade, Honourable Artillery Company, Easter Mixed Pilgrimage, 85th Club, Whitsuntide Mixed Pilgrimage, Public Schools, and 236th Siege Battery, R.G.A. In prospect, we have the August Bank Holiday Mixed Pilgrimage to Ypres and over the same week-end a party of 60 or more members of the Old Coldstreamers' Association. In addition, the 128th Infantry Brigade are negotiating with us for a battlefield tour in the Autumn, and our last Mixed Pilgrimage to Ypres in 1935 will take place from September 21st to 24th. Space does not allow us to dwell too much on the travel activity, but it has all-important bearing on the League's work. Firstly, because headquarters staff is brought in personal con tact with Army units, ex-service men, and relatives of the fallen and the rapid growth of our travel organization is the outcome of their recommendations. Secondly, this activity is a substantial aid to the recruiting of new mem bers who join the League at their own free will in appreciation, not only of our facilities, but in entire approval of the aims and objects of our Association. Indeed, practical interest does not cease here -After the 85th Club had concluded their sixth consecutive annual tour last May under our auspices, their Committee, as a token of appreciation and regard, most generously contributed a cheque for five guineas- to the Ypres League Poor Pilgrim's Fund, and we may add that in connection with thiis charitable work, a further donation of five pounds has recently been subscribed by the South Kensington Branch of the British Legion. We cannot emphasise our thanks too deeply, and only trust that the respective Committees- realise our debt of gratitude for their extremely thoughtful gestures and benevolent support, and they may rest assured that these generous donations will give immense consolation to the poor mothers and widows who are specially selected to see, for the first time, the graves of their sons and husbands at Ypres. Since 1927 the Ypres League has expended over a thousand pounds on this charity and we expect to reduce our anxious Waiting List still further during the summer of 1935. In order to increase the popular appeal of the Ypres Times," we are hoping, provided the kindly co-operation of our friends and readers is forthcoming, to publish in the near future a series of short articles on The Regi mental Customs of the British Army." We are asking all who are in a position to do so to send us brief details of any traditional customs that may be associated either with their own or any other individual unit. Contributions, under this heading, will be gratefully received and acknowledged by the Editor. We cannot conclude these notes without a feeling of deep regret in the sudden death of Captain J. G. W. Hyndson, M.C., one of our best all-round supporters, not only active in recruiting new members, but he contributed three fine battle articles for the Ypres Times, which were published in the April, July and October, 1934, editions, respectively, and which must have been read with great interest. In addition, he allowed us to sell his book From Mons to the First Battle of Ypres with a com mission to the League funds on each copy sold, and once he accompanied one of our parties to Ypres in order to give some lecturettef on his 1914 experiences. Such an active member as Captain Hyndson cannot easily be replaced, and we shall always miss his welcome and encouraging visits to headquarters. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his father, the Rev. Jas. Hyndson, in his great bereavement. During the last year or two, our ranks have been sadly depleted in the death of some valuable workers, but the League is particularly for tunate, in that it possesses an exceptionally loyal membership and, as in war-time, when so often the best are taken, others are ready to come forward and exercise even greater efforts in their memory.

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1935 | | pagina 28